Human Resilience

True resilience is not judging anyone by how hard, or how often they fall. But by often they fall and get up again. Its OK to not be OK. Resilience means simply "getting up again" and to "keep moving forward." 


 

This may not look like anything really remarkable, but travel back aproximately 30 years with me to get an amazing view of human resilience. Now, picture yourself, in a wheel chair, and being 50 yrs old, and having muscular dystrophy to the point where you can only move from your neck to the top of your head, and your hands down to your wrists. And then make this vase and put it in a kiln to harden it and make it look like this. It took my friend three months to make this for me. She worked REALLY hard to do this, and yes, if one was to look, there are "flaws" in it, but it is still the perfect ceramic vase. I have kept it all these years just to reflect upon such a marvellous example of resilience, and love in action.




Why did Millie make this for me?

All I did was to be a volunteer, and sit with her every week to visit and talk. Folks, we all need a little of this kind of resilience for this trying time of covid and other maladies. Please, find someone to visit and care about, and lets get through this thing together.

visits might have to be on zoom or by phone, so reach out to someone today. 🙂

I am probably the only one crying right now about this post, but its because I reminded myself of the day she died, and a nurse helped her to call me so that she could say good bye and so that I could pray for her. She was thousands of miles away, and it was a real tear-jerker for sure, but in a good way. I was somebody's angel. Praise The Lord. 🙂

Wow, beautiful story of resilience! The vase is so beautiful. 

CentralAB‍
What a beautiful story. So humbling and gracious. Not surprising that you inspire such sharing and caring in others, given that that's what you do so well for others. 
I am in the midst of getting geared up to begin volunteering at a new and much needed residential hospice near my home. I have been wondering if this is something I really want to do, but your story has inspired me. 🙏

PS: You're not the only one crying at this moment! 

 

Thanks, ashcon‍ That is good to hear. I cant remember exactly where I posted the other story about the fund raiser I was doing in memory of my late wife, but just today I was handed $1500 cash for that fundraiser, and we have now topped our initial goal by $100.00  I was so excited I was crying when I got to the bank. lol But what a wonderful tribute to my late wife's legacy and work. The money is all going to a local womens shelter, which is the kind of places she worked most of her career. I know its lock down time and all, but I feel really blessed. 😀

ashcon:
CentralAB‍
What a beautiful story. So humbling and gracious. Not surprising that you inspire such sharing and caring in others, given that that's what you do so well for others. 
I am in the midst of getting geared up to begin volunteering at a new and much needed residential hospice near my home. I have been wondering if this is something I really want to do, but your story has inspired me. 🙏

PS: You're not the only one crying at this moment! 

 

 

Resilience is something that lifts you up, and laughter or smiles are configured just for resilient people. Being able to laugh at things is the sign of resilience. This picture should produce a few smiles or some laughter. View this picture as needed.


 

none of the mountains here are actually this colour unless one catches the sunrise at this point. Its an amazing display for about 20 minutes.
 

CentralAB‍  I haven’t been here in a while and I was amazed by all the beautiful pictures you have posted, they have along with your inspiring text a very calming and relaxing effect sitting here sipping on a cup of hot coffee. Thank you for making the world a little brighter for so many people on this site. We are all here not because we wanted to be but because we needed to share what we are all living through and I think we all needed to just feel not so alone!! Have a great day and keep those pictures coming they are truly a source of enjoyment for so many!

Please, find someone to visit and care about, and lets get through this thing together.

visits might have to be on zoom or by phone, so reach out to someone today. 🙂

CentralAB‍  sometime it doesn’t take much to make a little bit of difference in someone’s life. Yesterday on my Facebook page there was a request from a senior center to send Christmas cards to their residents who will not get any visitors during the holidays because they are under lock down due to Covid outbreaks, so I took part of the day writing Christmas cards with a little note inside to send to some seniors all you do is write on the enveloppe Sir/ Madam and the address of the place where you send it and the staff distribute the cards and if they get too many they bring them to another  senior residence. You can also bring the cards over and give them to the staff if you don’t want to mail them. I just thought this was such a wonderful idea during these trying times for everybody!! Have a great day!!

Thank you Nicky01‍ I appreciate those comments. As we all know, resilience does involve self care too. Lately, I have taken to getting up really early and finding a remote location in the wilderness to watch the sunrise. Here is a picture of me waiting by a mountain lake for that nice reddish sunrise we get here.


 

Hello All and Happy New Year!

Sometimes, a little levity and humour is what we need to be more resilient. I hope this fits the situation many here deal with:

The Quarantine Song